Alta Mesa

Developed between the 1950s and 1960s as workforce housing, Alta Mesa – also known as the Mesa by locals – has become a sought-after Santa Barbara neighborhood just north of the harbor, offering homes with beautiful views of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.

“Ironically, when Alta Mesa was developed, there was not high value in being near or having views of the ocean and wasn’t considered a benefit because it tends to be much more foggy than other parts of the city,” says Ruth Ann Bowe, an associate broker with Village Properties. “Obviously, in today’s world, beach access and water views are extremely sought after, and being on the hill provides many of the homes with gorgeous views. Alta Mesa has incredible access to the beaches and downtown, which few other neighborhoods have.”

Atop a hill, Alta Mesa has steep, winding streets equipped with well-maintained sidewalks lined with palm and eucalyptus trees. The original inventory includes ranch styles and California Cottages, many of which have been remodeled or rebuilt over the years in the Mediterranean and Spanish styles the city is known for. Prices for a three-bedroom, two-bathroom California Cottage begin around $2.3 million, while a renovated Spanish-inspired house with three bedrooms and four bathrooms will go for about $4.4 million. “Surprisingly, the market is doing well compared to the last few years, and even better than before Covid. It's a serious sellers’ market because the inventory is low and sales are coming in higher by the month,” Bowe says.

Students attend the Santa Barbara Unified School District, which scores an A on Niche. While multiple school paths exist throughout Alta Mesa, one potential path is Washington Elementary, La Cumbre Junior High and Santa Barbara High. The high school garners an A from Niche and is the third-oldest high school in California and operates with four terms per year and four classes per term.

Making up the western edge of Alta Mesa is Elings Park, which is the largest community-supported nonprofit public park in the country. With 230 acres, the park annually provides year-round entertainment for more than 200,000 visitors and has special events like the Local Vibes, a concert featuring community artists. Spanning nearly 50 acres, Honda Valley Park provides an open green space with hiking trails. Cut through large shade trees and California Coast Live Oaks as you walk or jog around a creek. Hilda McIntyre Ray Park is a much smaller green space that packs a punch in one acre. With a picnic area and playground, the park offers stunning views of the Santa Ynez Mountains and downtown Santa Barbara.

While Alta Mesa is primarily residential, the Mesa Shopping Center provides shopping and dining options. Browse for your weekly groceries at Vons or head across the street to Mesa Produce, which specializes in local organic produce. After you’re done shopping, enjoy breakfast or lunch from the Mesa Café, which has been owned and operated since 1984 and has an outdoor patio and renovated dining room. The neighborhood is about 3 miles from State Street, Santa Barbara’s culinary, shopping and social scene hub. It's recently been converted into a pedestrian promenade between Sola and Haley streets.

Alta Mesa is located north of the Santa Barbara Harbor and provides picturesque mountains and ocean views.